A liberal United States Senator, let's call him Edward M. Kennedy, dies. When he gets to heaven, he asks God, "Will America ever have national health insurance?" "Yes," the Lord replies, "but not in my lifetime."

Let's be clear. What Americans need least is what they are now getting: trash talk about government as "the problem" and a claim now inflated to infallibility by Republican zealots that tax increases never -- ever -- promote the common good.

We are not in a room crafting health care legislation, so we have to rely on the words of those we elected to public office to truthfully tell us what they say, and how which bill will best benefit our lives.